The first Americans arrived thousands of years ago. Scientists believe they crossed a land bridge from Asia to Alaska during the last Ice Age. These nomads were moving from place to place searching for food. Several groups developed great civilizations. In some parts of Mexico and Central America, the Maya created great cities and studied astronomy and mathematics. The Aztec founded a permanent home in Central Mexico. Their city, Tenochtitlán, was the largest in the Americas, and one of the largest in the world. The empire of the Inca developed in the western highlands of South America. They built a large system of roads and bridges to maintain communication throughout their kingdom.
In North America, the Mound Builders, who lived in the area from present-day Pennsylvania to the Mississippi River valley, may have been influenced by the cultures of Mexico. The Hohokam and the Anasazi built complex structures in the desert regions of the Southwest. In the far north, the Inuit people adapted to a cold and frozen environment. Native Americans in the West developed a way of life that used the resources of the forest and the sea. On the Great Plains, the Dakota, Apache, and other tribes continued a nomadic way of life. Many of the groups who lived in the East formed complex political systems to govern their nations. Wherever they lived in North America, the first Americans developed ways of life that were well suited to their environments.
From the A.D. 1200s through the 1400s, Europeans began seeking new ways to obtain the spices, silks, and riches of Asia. As trade increased, it brought Europeans into greater contact with people in Africa and the Americas. Powerful kingdoms flourished in Africa south of the Sahara between 300 and 1600. The civilizations of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai established cities that were centers of trade and learning.
Early Portuguese explorers sailed down the coast of Africa and around the Cape of Good Hope to reach the riches of India. Backed by Spain, Christopher Columbus believed that he could sail west and reach Asia. In 1492 his expedition landed on an island in the Caribbean; he believed, however, that he had reached the East. His "discovery" led to further explorations by other Europeans, who realized that this was a "new" land. Other Spanish explorers conquered Native Americans such as the Aztec and the Inca. The wealth of these groups became the wealth of Spain. As Spanish control spread, so did the pueblos, missions, presidios, and plantations of settlers from Spain.
Europe also experienced changes during this time. Religious differences arose as a result of the Protestant Reformation. Nations developed economic rivalries that led them to compete for land in the Americas. Explorers from other nations continued to search for a route to the East. England, France, and the Netherlands explored the east coast of North America seeking a Northwest Passage to Asia.
The American Journey
Unit 1Chapter 1: The First Americans
Chapter Overviews
The first Americans arrived thousands of years ago. Scientists believe they crossed a land bridge from Asia to Alaska during the last Ice Age. These nomads were moving from place to place searching for food. Several groups developed great civilizations. In some parts of Mexico and Central America, the Maya created great cities and studied astronomy and mathematics. The Aztec founded a permanent home in Central Mexico. Their city, Tenochtitlán, was the largest in the Americas, and one of the largest in the world. The empire of the Inca developed in the western highlands of South America. They built a large system of roads and bridges to maintain communication throughout their kingdom.
In North America, the Mound Builders, who lived in the area from present-day Pennsylvania to the Mississippi River valley, may have been influenced by the cultures of Mexico. The Hohokam and the Anasazi built complex structures in the desert regions of the Southwest. In the far north, the Inuit people adapted to a cold and frozen environment. Native Americans in the West developed a way of life that used the resources of the forest and the sea. On the Great Plains, the Dakota, Apache, and other tribes continued a nomadic way of life. Many of the groups who lived in the East formed complex political systems to govern their nations. Wherever they lived in North America, the first Americans developed ways of life that were well suited to their environments.
Chapter 1 Basic Vocab
Chapter 1 Review Quiz
Chapter 2: Exploring the Americas
Chapter Overviews
From the A.D. 1200s through the 1400s, Europeans began seeking new ways to obtain the spices, silks, and riches of Asia. As trade increased, it brought Europeans into greater contact with people in Africa and the Americas. Powerful kingdoms flourished in Africa south of the Sahara between 300 and 1600. The civilizations of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai established cities that were centers of trade and learning.
Early Portuguese explorers sailed down the coast of Africa and around the Cape of Good Hope to reach the riches of India. Backed by Spain, Christopher Columbus believed that he could sail west and reach Asia. In 1492 his expedition landed on an island in the Caribbean; he believed, however, that he had reached the East. His "discovery" led to further explorations by other Europeans, who realized that this was a "new" land. Other Spanish explorers conquered Native Americans such as the Aztec and the Inca. The wealth of these groups became the wealth of Spain. As Spanish control spread, so did the pueblos, missions, presidios, and plantations of settlers from Spain.
Europe also experienced changes during this time. Religious differences arose as a result of the Protestant Reformation. Nations developed economic rivalries that led them to compete for land in the Americas. Explorers from other nations continued to search for a route to the East. England, France, and the Netherlands explored the east coast of North America seeking a Northwest Passage to Asia.
Chapter 2 Basic Vocab
Chapter 2 Review Quiz